In one month, Wonderschool and Mississippi Department of Health created 37 Programs Licensed Programs with 1095 Slots

To address the critical shortage of child care options in Mississippi, Wonderschool, in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH), launched a comprehensive initiative to create new child care programs in underserved areas. Over the past ten months, this public-private partnership has successfully opened 95 new programs, adding 3,274 licensed child care slots across the state.

Challenge

Mississippi, like many states across the U.S., faces significant challenges in providing adequate child care services, particularly in child care deserts where there are few or no child care options for working families. The lack of licensed programs has led to long waiting lists, limited access, and an increased burden on existing providers. The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), housed within MSDH, recognized the urgency to expand child care capacity and sought a solution to quickly address these shortages.

Solution

In response to this challenge, MDHS partnered with Wonderschool in 2023 to establish a streamlined process for creating new child care programs. This partnership leveraged Wonderschool’s expertise in provider recruitment, training, coaching, and technology to support aspiring child care providers from licensing to enrollment.

The initiative also included a startup grant from MDHS and accelerated licensing inspections. Wonderschool’s continuous collaboration with HORNE, a consulting firm, helped qualify participants for the grant and ensured smooth operations.

Outcomes and Results

Within a one-month period, Wonderschool and MDHS successfully opened 37 child care programs, resulting in 1,095 new slots for families across Mississippi. Of these programs, 19 are registered family child care homes, and 18 are licensed centers. This rapid expansion has significantly increased the availability of child care in underserved areas, providing much-needed relief to families and communities.

Over the past ten months, 179 Wonderschool providers submitted new child care program applications, and 95 were approved, creating 3,274 new child care slots in Mississippi.

Public-Private Partnership: Wonderschool and MDHS

The success of this initiative is largely due to a four-part collaboration:

• Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS): Contracted Wonderschool to work directly with providers and provided a startup grant.
• Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH): Accelerated licensing inspections to expedite the process.
• Wonderschool: Delivered training, coaching, and access to its platform, helping providers navigate the licensing process and achieve successful enrollments. Wonderschool also sent regular updates to MDHS, MSDH, and HORNE to ensure all stakeholders were aligned and could quickly address any issues.
• HORNE: Maintained frequent communication with Wonderschool to qualify participants for the grant.

Recruiting Providers

Wonderschool’s multifaceted platform is a powerful SaaS solution that attracts child care workers and creates a long-term pathway for them to earn livable wages. Our services include a Substitute Teaching Pool, which helps meet immediate staffing needs and identifies potential new program leaders.

In Mississippi, Wonderschool provided new program leaders with business coaching to identify and refine their business goals and trained them through Wonderschool Academy, a business education course covering the latest in licensing, website creation, and enrollment strategies.

Training with Wonderschool Academy and Business Coaching

Wonderschool Academy supports providers through every step of starting a child care program. Along with self-serve modules, providers can opt for one-on-one business coaching to design programs that meet their financial goals and serve community needs. Wonderschool’s technology platform further assists providers by attracting families and managing enrollments through its marketplace platform.

The Wonderschool Technology Platform

Wonderschool’s platform is a state-of-the-art tool for new child care providers. It helps providers attract families, manage enrollments, and receive ongoing support to maintain their businesses. The platform’s intuitive, mobile-friendly interface and comprehensive resources enable providers to grow and sustain high-quality, well-functioning child care services.

Wonderschool Platform Providers

Below are just a handful of providers we helped launch new programs. We continue to assist them in growing their child care services through the Wonderschool platform:

• ‍The VIP Schoolhouse LLC by Joyce Harris in Long Beach, Mississippi: The VIP Schoolhouse LLC, run by Joyce Harris, is a center-based child care program in Long Beach, Mississippi. Known for its beautiful beachfront and close-knit community, Long Beach is a wonderful place for families. Joyce’s program serves infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, offering a nurturing environment for early development. The VIP Schoolhouse is committed to supporting all families, including those who receive subsidies, making quality child care accessible to everyone in the community.

• Ann's Kids by Annthiesa McGowan in Holly Springs, Mississippi: Ann's Kids, a family child care program led by Annthiesa McGowan, is located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, a city known for its rich history and charming architecture. Annthiesa's program offers a warm, home-based setting that serves a wide age range from infants to school-age children. Ann's Kids is particularly inclusive, accepting subsidy families and providing a reliable, nurturing environment where children can grow and thrive. The program’s flexibility and comprehensive care options make it a beloved choice for families in Holly Springs.

• Mrs. B's Precious Beginnings Academy by Brenda Wilborn in Southaven, Mississippi: Mrs. B's Precious Beginnings Academy, operated by Brenda Wilborn, is a family child care program in Southaven, Mississippi. Southaven, located near Memphis, is a vibrant city with a growing community. Brenda’s program specializes in early childhood education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, focusing on creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning. The academy is dedicated to inclusivity, welcoming subsidy families and providing a supportive environment where every child can flourish.

• Kingdom Connections Kidz by Jennifer Jaynes in Magee, Mississippi: Kingdom Connections Kidz, founded by Jennifer Jaynes, is a family child care program located in Magee, Mississippi, a small city known for its friendly community and local charm. Jennifer's program serves toddlers and preschool-age children, focusing on providing a safe, home-based environment that fosters learning and growth. While Kingdom Connections Kidz does not currently accept subsidy families, it remains a vital resource for parents seeking quality, personalized child care in Magee.

• JJ's Afterschool & Nursery by Janice Spann in Raymond, Mississippi: JJ's Afterschool & Nursery, managed by Janice Spann, is a family child care program based in Raymond, Mississippi. Raymond is a historic town with a tight-knit community, making it an ideal place for Janice’s program. JJ's Afterschool & Nursery caters to preschool and school-age children, providing care that extends beyond the typical daycare hours to accommodate the needs of working parents. The program is welcoming to subsidy families, ensuring that high-quality child care is available to all.

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Bring Child Care Success To Your State

We're committed to bringing success rates and stories to every state so that all families have access to high quality care. Let us help you in creating and sustaining programs that yield great outcomes. Wonderschool has over 16 technology solutions that can scale quality care. Schedule a call with a regional director to learn more.